Imagine donning a uniform to uphold the law, only to become a target of vitriol and violence for doing your job. That’s the stark reality for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiatives during his second term, which kicked off in January 2025. These brave souls are stepping out of the shadows to share their harrowing experiences.
According to Fox News, ICE agents are grappling with an unprecedented wave of hostility, including doxxing, public demonization, and a staggering 830% surge in assaults since the start of this term, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Three agents—Kristian Moreno, Edgardo Centeno, and Chris Sandoval—have unmasked themselves to speak out about the personal toll of their work. Moreno, based in Baltimore, Maryland, previously served with the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection. Their stories paint a picture of dedication clashing with danger.
“It has been very sad to see how we're villainized,” Moreno laments. Let’s unpack that—when did enforcing federal law become a villain’s game? The progressive agenda often paints these agents as heartless, ignoring the human cost of their daily grind.
Centeno, with a career spanning four administrations, brings a seasoned perspective from his roots in New York and Puerto Rico. His military and law enforcement background fuels a deep commitment to community service through ICE. Yet, even this veteran feels the sting of a divided nation.
“What we've seen in California, Los Angeles, New York, it is, in my opinion, unacceptable,” Centeno states. And who could disagree when agents face not just verbal attacks but physical ones, spurred by heated rhetoric from certain corners of the political spectrum?
Chris Sandoval, operating out of Houston, Texas, echoes the frustration of being misunderstood. “It's kind of unfair to where… we're serving the country,” he notes. Indeed, isn’t it ironic that those protecting national borders are accused of harming their communities by some vocal critics?
The DHS isn’t mincing words, accusing certain Democrats and media outlets of fanning the flames with misleading narratives. These “lies and fake stories,” as DHS calls them, have real-world consequences—agents are being photographed and exposed online, putting their families at risk. It’s a digital witch hunt, plain and simple.
Adding fuel to the fire, some Democrats have pushed a bill to strip ICE agents of face masks and demand visible IDs during duty. Critics rightly argue this could endanger officers by making them easy targets. When did policy become a personal vendetta against those enforcing it?
Moreno’s decision to speak out wasn’t easy—he had to consult his family first. “Just doing this [interview] right now, I had to talk to my family about it,” he reveals. That hesitation speaks volumes about the fear these agents live with, even off duty.
Centeno, a combat veteran, feels the division in the country cuts deeper than any battlefield wound. “We have to do our job… but it's saddening my heart,” he admits. When a man who’s faced war laments domestic discord, it’s time to listen.
He’s also clear about where the line should be drawn. “I believe in the First Amendment… but when you are enforcing, as a Congress member… to go after us, then you're crossing that line,” Centeno warns. It’s a fair point—free speech shouldn’t morph into incitement against law enforcers.
Centeno’s resolve remains unshaken despite the hostility. “We should not be afraid of doing our jobs… I’ll die for it,” he declares with conviction. That’s the kind of patriotism that built this nation, yet it’s met with scorn by some.
These agents aren’t crafting the laws—they’re enforcing what’s on the books, as Moreno rightly points out. The narrative of them as villains ignores the oath they took to defend the Constitution. Shouldn’t the focus be on debating policy rather than demonizing those who implement it?
The struggle of ICE agents like Moreno, Centeno, and Sandoval is a stark reminder of the cost of division in our society. Their call isn’t for praise but for a fair shake—to be seen as humans doing a tough job amid rising threats. Perhaps it’s time to cool the rhetoric and consider the weight of their service before casting the next stone.
